If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Hey Andrew,

You should look over on mobile.de, there are 4 pages / nearly 40 Z8s ranging in price and several low milage ones, and think I remember seeing a topaz/crema low milage one. Euro spec but several are US spec that were imported across the pond. You may find another one to import if you are serious. I did not see any Stratus combos however.

The wait is over, I've found what I was looking for, so I've unstuck this post. I settled on a Topaz/Crema 03 with under 2,000 miles that I have known since it's owner first bought it. Very many thanks to our new member CruZn for bringing this car to my attention.

Andrew Macpherson

Expert Z8 Inspections, with full support for both Z8 sale and purchases.

The wait is over, I've found what I was looking for, so I've unstuck this post. I settled on a Topaz/Crema 03 with under 2,000 miles that I have known since it's owner first bought it. Very many thanks to our new member CruZn for bringing this car to my attention.

Yes, I've had two before, and now my Lotus is up for sale there is a Z8 sized slot in the garage. I'd decided last year that I wanted a second car, a mint low mile 03, as a long term keeper/investment car. I 'd originally been looking at getting a Stratus car as it's metallic paint holds light differently, so would give me different kind of picture to the flat paint colors I've photographed so much. I was also in negotiations to buy one of the four Midnight Blue metallic cars that were special ordered for BMW Canada, but the right car kept slipping thru my hands. Then yesterday a new board member, coincidentally also from Canada, told me about a car I've known of since it was ordered. The owner is a vintage racer and collector who I've known since I got my first Z8 back in '01, and photographed at the Monterey Historics racing Sterling Moss's old C Type (you can see it in this post). I know how incredibly well he looks after his machines, and Topaz/Crema was the other color that I'd take if the right one came up, so it was 'kismet'.

Andrew Macpherson

Expert Z8 Inspections, with full support for both Z8 sale and purchases.

The new car will indeed get loads of camera attention, but far less miles! I'm honestly planning on doing under a 100 miles a year in it, as I want the mileage to remain seriously low as befits a long term keeper car. The upside is that having a keeper will mean far more driving days for my silver car. It is so well set up and such a joy to drive that I may well lift my projected mileage in that one from under 2,000 to more like 4-5000 miles a year. I'm already thinking about our Meet in Montana, dreaming of taking the backbone of the Rockies from Denver are all the way north on a week long drive.

Anyhow, here in the meantime is a little set of images of the new family member, and my 4th Z8 to date!

Andrew Macpherson

Expert Z8 Inspections, with full support for both Z8 sale and purchases.

We spoke Friday night, this car came to my attention Saturday morning. The odd thing is that I've known both the owner and this car a long time, and twice in the last three weeks had actually had the phone in my hands, and been looking at Greg's number on my screen thinking that I should call him about it. Both times right before I dialed I had that second thought "Nah, he's never going to let that car go!" and moved on to doing something else. Here is a shot I did of my new car back in Aug of 03 when it was brand new at the now defunct Crystal Cove meet.

Andrew Macpherson

Expert Z8 Inspections, with full support for both Z8 sale and purchases.

I feel very happy to have joined an elite band of 138 cars in this lovely combo. The funny thing is when the original owner bought it I remember questioning his decision, but in the fullness of time I realize he made the perfect decision - they are all great colors, but there is a Riviera elegance to the Topaz/Crema that really reminds me of Riva speedboats and St Tropez.

Andrew Macpherson

Expert Z8 Inspections, with full support for both Z8 sale and purchases.

I just did some calculations on my new car, and figured this out. It was one of just 159 US Spec '03 Z8's made. Since all the US spec Alpina's were Silver or Black only, and Stratus was included in the color mix for 03, I could well have the one of the last Topaz cars off the line. Using the production run average of 1 car in 18 being Topaz there are maybe ten Topaz 03's out there. While not as rare as the four Midnight Metallic Canadian cars, or Havenhurstkid's 1 of 12 Stratus/Red's it is still a rare beast!

Andrew Macpherson

Expert Z8 Inspections, with full support for both Z8 sale and purchases.

The silver one of course! It will easily be 1,000 mile week with Napa added on, and that is what it has been so well set up for. It is by far the sweetest driving of all the Z8's I've tried to date when it comes to doing long days in the saddle. The change to the Alpina suspension, and the wider rims balanced by the Dinan swaybars make it a real long distance joy. It is also the only one of all my Z8's I've had from new, but despite that clocking up the miles is also part of the adventure and the joy of owning such an amazing machine, so 61888 will always be my #1 driving car.

Andrew Macpherson

Expert Z8 Inspections, with full support for both Z8 sale and purchases.